Women Increasingly Active in Japan’s Fish Markets

Tokyo, July 6 (Jiji Press)–Women are becoming increasingly visible in Japan’s fish markets as the country shifts toward a more gender-neutral society, making inroads into the traditionally male-dominated industry. At the Toyosu wholesale food market in Tokyo’s Koto Ward, more than 10 female sales staff employed by wholesalers work from early morning, handling transactions involving fresh seafood and processed fishery products. Such female workers were rarely seen at the former Tsukiji wholesale market in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward before its operations were relocated to the Toyosu market. Kana Saegusa has been working at wholesaler Tsukiji Uoichiba Co., based in the Toyosu market, for around five years. She sells a variety of seafood, such as crabs, lobsters and salmon, delivered from producers across the country to intermediate wholesalers and retailers. “I sometimes face difficulties but feel satisfied with my role in connecting producers and consumers,” Saegusa said. Rina Takahashi of Kitani Suisan, an intermediate wholesaler at the Toyosu market, processes and sells Toyosu-sourced tuna at the Tsukiji Outer Market. She has been working for the company for more than seven years, honing her skills in assessing tuna quality every day. “I want to be able to bid for wild bluefin tuna (from a wholesaler) someday,” Takahashi said. The Tsukiji Outer Market serves not only general consumers but also sushi restaurant operators and other businesses. Takahashi said, “We try to provide tuna that meets each customer’s needs, taking into account when they plan to eat it and which cut they want.” Miyu Murata joined Sendai Suisan Co., a wholesaler at the Sendai central wholesale market in Miyagi Prefecture, northeastern Japan, four years ago. After passing a qualification test, she has been working as an auctioneer handling shellfish, such as oysters, scallops and sea squirts, as well as seaweed, since June last year. At the Nagoya city central wholesale market in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, Nanako Ishikawa, an auctioneer at Chubu Suisan Co., wholesales popular fish such as mackerel. In March this year, Ishikawa, a graduate of Aichi University of the Arts, published a picture book to help children get acquainted with fish, helping promote fish consumption. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]